Chapter 2

The room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

"My bad. I mixed up the years. It was 2012," Carter corrected himself coldly, acting as if it was no big deal.

Hailey quickly forced a smile to break the tension.

"Chloe, Carter's just been super stressed about the wedding planning lately. It's normal to get a little confused. Don't make a scene. All our friends and family are waiting downstairs."

Instantly, the other bridesmaids chimed in, trying to appease me.

"Yeah, babe, it's your big day! Smile a little!"

"You can punish him tonight. Don't let a silly mistake ruin the ceremony!"

They all thought I was overreacting.

But only I knew that Carter had changed.

Years ago, if I so much as frowned, he would immediately panic, doing whatever it took—buying me gifts, telling stupid jokes—just to make me smile.

But now, his eyes were glued to my best friend, and he couldn't seem to look away.

"Fine. Let's go," I said.

I didn't want to make things awkward for the guests who had flown in from across the country. I followed the itinerary and let Carter carry me out to the car.

As he lifted me, he laughed and said,

"Have you been stress-eating lately? You definitely feel heavier than 110 lbs."

110 lbs. That was Hailey's weight. She had just bragged about it on her Ins story yesterday.

"Have you been carrying someone who weighs 110 lbs lately?" I asked casually.

Carter stiffened. He quickly shook his head. "Of course not. Don't be paranoid."

Right then, Hailey jumped in, eager to clarify.

"Oh, actually, I'm 120 lbs now, so it's definitely not me!"

I looked down, hiding my mock scoff.

Guilty people always scream the loudest.

But I didn't call them out. I wanted to see how long they could keep up this pathetic show.

Inside the cramped sports car, Hailey insisted on squeezing in, sitting right between Carter and me.

"You don't mind, do you, Chloe? The other shuttle cars are totally full. Let's just squeeze."

I didn't say a word.

The entire ride, Hailey chattered away, looking far more excited than the actual bride.

And Carter answered her every word.

It made me feel like the third wheel at my own wedding.

As we rounded a corner, Hailey suddenly tapped Carter's shoulder. "Carter, I'm dying for those honey lavender cupcakes from that bakery uptown."

"Sure, I'll grab some for you."

With that, Carter spun the steering wheel, taking a sharp turn in the exact opposite direction of the wedding venue.

My brows furrowed. "Carter, stop. We don't have time."

"That bakery is ten miles away. The ceremony starts in an hour. We're going to be late."

He glared at me through the rearview mirror.

"It's on the way! Buying cupcakes takes two minutes. You're just being petty because of those trivia questions."

I bit my lip so hard I tasted blood, clenching my fists to keep from crying.

When he got my graduation year wrong and I stayed quiet, I was "ruining the mood."

But when Hailey wanted cupcakes from across town, it was "on the way."

Fine. If he wasn't in a rush, neither was I.

After all, I had no intention of marrying him anyway.

My phone buzzed.

A text from my parents: "Sweetheart, the SUV is parked by the side entrance of the venue. We're ready when you are."